This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Sept. 7, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Two Arkansas agricultural leaders spent part of last week in Washington, D.C., urging the Trump administration and Congress to take action to help farmers in the Natural State.

Joe Mencer and Andrew Grobmyer, officials with the Agricultural Council of Arkansas, participated in multiple meetings regarding possible economic assistance for producers. Mencer and Grobmyer traveled to the nation's capital as farms and other operations continue to struggle with low crop prices and elevated production costs.

The recent Republican tax and spending package made adjustments to federal agricultural programs, but farmers will not notice these changes until the fall of 2026.

STORY: Arkansas farm advocates visit Washington to call for financial aid

We are six months away from Arkansas' primary election, and candidates are already preparing their pitches to voters.

Zack Huffman, of Little Rock, is running as a Democrat in Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District. A former teacher, Huffman said he felt motivated to run for office as the Trump administration began its efforts to dismantle the Department of Education.

STORY: Little Rock’s Zack Huffman seeks Democratic nomination to face Rep. French Hill in 2nd District

Thank you for listening to "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on Bluesky for more developments from the nation's capital!

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of August 31, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

As Republicans and Democrats in other states debate drawing new congressional districts before next year's midterm elections, Arkansas' state lawmakers are not in a position to hold similar discussions.

Following the 2020 census, Republicans drew a congressional map strengthening the GOP's ability to hold the state's four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The recent gerrymandering efforts in Texas and California raised a question for J. Miles Coleman, who works at the University of Virginia Center for Politics: What would it take to give minority parties in states like Arkansas a chance to have some House representation?

Check Tuesday's edition of the Democrat-Gazette for the full story.

Thank you for listening to "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on Bluesky for more developments from the nation's capital!

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of August 24, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are preparing to resume legislative duties on Capitol Hill after Labor Day.

Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., hopes lawmakers work on passing permitting legislation — including his SPEED Act — later this fall.

Westerman, of Hot Springs, has pushed for overhauling the current permitting system, leading a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on issues affecting energy and public infrastructure projects before the August recess.

STORY: Westerman sees ‘growing bipartisan desire’ to speed infrastructure permits, scale back environmental law

Another Democrat has launched a bid to challenge U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., in next year's Senate contest.

Lewisville Mayor Ethan Dunbar has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for federal office.

Dunbar, who chairs the Arkansas Black Mayors Association, told the Democrat-Gazette that his decision stems in part from the hostile national political climate. He further said, "our political process has experienced some moral decay, and we've got to return respect for humanity first."

STORY: Lewisville mayor seeking Democratic nomination to face GOP’s Cotton for U.S. Senate seat

Thank you for listening to "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on Bluesky for more developments from the nation's capital!